Jasper County Board Minutes
COUNTY OF JASPER NEWTON, ILLINOIS
County Office Building 204 W Washington St, Newton, IL 62448
July 13, 2023
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, July 13th, 2023. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by proclamation according to law by Sheriff Francis. Sheriff Francis led a moment in silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present were Bollman, Deckard, Geier, Heltsley, Judson, Pickens, Spiker, Warfel, and Weddell.
State’s Attorney Treccia, “Cell Phone Use During Public Meeting.” [State Appellate Court Opinion states that, “communications on the private device of a board member that are sent, received or used by board members while at a public meeting may be subject to FOIA.” “Communication between members of a public body during open meetings needs to be public information. If a meeting is truly open to the public, members shouldn’t be allowed to communicate in private.”]
Public comments: Thank you letter: Donna Keller wanted to thank Ron Heltlsey, Jasper County Board member and Jasper County Liquor Commissioner; Jason Warfel, Jasper County Board Chairman; Jasper County State’s Attorney James Treccia; Jasper County Clerk Amy Tarr and Traci Lybarger, Jasper County Clerk employee and Deputy Doug Long who was there at the Cork & Pork Festival making sure everything went smoothly. Thank you to all. The Cork & Pork started out as a fundraiser for the Sainte Marie Foundation in 2015. But after one year, we knew we had to spread the wealth because it was so successful. From 2015-2022 we are happy to report we have given back over $188,000 to Jasper County groups and organizations. And we hope this year will be the best! Thank you to the above people, who made this year possible.
Bollman made a motion to approve the agenda. Deckard seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Reports:
County Departments
Ambulance – 165 calls for service: 911- 82; Refusal/no pt found/no contact – 19; MVA – 2; Transfers/discharges – 37; Stand-by – 6; Mutual Aid – 19; The ambulance was awarded $15,000.00 from Mary Heath Grant Foundation. 2358 has a new def system and is running well, other ambulances to get routine maintenance to keep running until new trucks arrive. New polos have been ordered – this was requested from the employees, so we look more professional. They did stand by event coverage at the Jasper County Fair. A Landing Zone class for all area first responders will be at Newton High School Football field on July 18 at 1830.
Highway Department – The new Solid Waste truck is currently scheduled to be delivered in July. The bid for this new truck was accepted in February 2022 for the amount of $83,968.24 with trade in of the current 2004 Peterbilt at $20,500.00 for a final amount owed of $63,468. As approved by the County in May of 2022 this truck and the transfer of the dumpster bed from the current truck to the new truck was to be paid for with ARPA funds. The estimated use of ARPA funds was approximately $80,000 = $63,468.24 plus estimated bed swap cost. This new truck was originally planned to be delivered in December 2022 during our slow time of year. Since this is a busy time of year for Solid Waste and we cannot afford to be without a truck, the plan is to accept the $83,968.24 bid price with no trade in. This will allow us to continue using our current truck and have the dumpster bed swapped during our slow time this winter. Once the bed is swapped, we will take sealed bids for the 2004 Peterbilt and this money will be used to fund the cost of swapping the dumpster bed. The first mowing of the right of way along the county highways has been completed. We have started oil & chip work on township roads and will continue with the remaining townships roads and the county roads throughout this summer and early fall. Crooked Creek Township is utilizing more of their Rebuild Illinois Funds by doing another day labor culvert project to be performed by the Jasper County Highway Department. Preliminary / Construction Engineering Service Agreement with Connor & Connor will need full Board approval. The mile of County Highway 1100E south of 100N extending to county line is being reworked due to the maintenance and money spent on it in the past. This construction will consist of tearing it up with the grader, disking it to break up large pieces of material, grading the material back out, and adding rock. The roadway will then be oiled and chipped later in the summer.
Board of Health – In packet Active shooter training is set for August 8th. Construction will be starting at the health department building. Next meeting will be July 24th 5:30 pm
County Positions/Services
Building Maintenance – No updates on windows and electric updates. Tom’s office door closure had problems and the cost of a new closure was very expensive so swapped it for a less used one instead of buying new. Matt Tarr City Electric Department will proceed with work at the courthouse on electrical wiring in yard. The city will supply labor and the county will pay for material. Alliance Tractor is going to sell a John Deere mower for the county. Pickens took down the river walk sign from the courthouse lawn. Dick Mahaffey is going to give an estimate for patching curb at the county building and courthouse south steps.
Information Technology Consultant – An update to the camera system at the courthouse will be paid for out of the courthouse security fund. Discussion of the lines beside the firehouse of what lines are the counties.
Supervisor of Assessment Office – Tom took the exam for Chief County Assessment Officer, waiting for results. Certificate errors are being completed since the tax bills are out. An assessment schedule from 1993 has been in use and there is a 2020 schedule and will be updated to the new schedule, so the assessment amount changes a lot. It must be across the board. Our sales ratio was not good because properties are selling higher than assessed.
Animal Control – In packet
Elected Officials
Treasurer- Reports from Bigard were sent in the board packet. The general fund income of $ 230,946.30, and the personal property income of $0 with a total income for June were $230,946.30. The expenses for June were $436,295.94. Total income less expenses for June a net loss of $187,031.52.
Geier made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: Approval of County Board June 15, 2023, Minutes; Approval of Preliminary/Construction Engineering Agreement with Connor & Connor for Crooked Creek Culvert Project; Reappointment of Ned Heltsley to a Five-Year Term as Trustee for North Fork Conservancy District; File County Reports; and Allow Claims. Spiker seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Old Business:
Item A –VISION 2031 – Jasper County Government Strategic Plan (Page 159-161)
I encourage you all to continue the discussion with your designated points of contact as we work towards a comprehensive strategic plan for our County Government. As was mentioned at the previous meetings, a County Website is something that we are looking at working towards. I have asked Doug and Eric to take the lead on looking into potential options, if we find the right fit, I think we could set a goal of having a County website by the Start/Spring of 2024. Also, as Eric mentioned a partnership with other potential stakeholders such as the city should be pursued to have a joint Jasper County/City of Newton website.
Item B – Energy Transition Community Grant
Phase 2 of the Grant was submitted ahead of the May 31, 2023, deadline. Still awaiting word from the State of Illinois on approval of Phase 2 and directions on moving forward. Geier was stated applications are still being reviewed. Nothing to report currently.
New Business:
Item A – Adoption of Amended FY2023 Jasper County Budget
At the June County Board meeting the Board voted to display the amended budget before a final vote at this meeting. As a quick reminder the following are the highlights of changes to the amended budget. Highlights of Adjustments: County Treasurer’s Office – Adjustment for the new employee; County Clerk Office – Adjustment for the new employee; Supervisor of Assessment Office – Adjustment in office expenses, $20,000 savings with JRACK service not required.; County Buildings – Lawn Care Expense (Mowing); Sheriff – Inmate Medical (new program) and Out of County Housing Expense; State’s Attorney – Office Equipment and Supplies; Health Department – Federal Grant Revenue/Expense (logged revenue from the grant and expenses); Ambulance Service – Moved Management Salary out of the Salary line to a Management Line, additional fuel, radio, and training expenses. Heltsley made a motion to adopt the Amended FY2023 Jasper County Budget. Geier seconded the motion. A
roll call vote was taken with vPickens, Spiker, Weddell, Heltsley, Warfel, Geier, Bollman, Deckard, and Judson voting yes. The motion was adopted on a roll call vote.
Item B – Review and Approval of County Fiber Optic Install Bid/Quote
Kemper Technology provided the Board with a quote from FieldWrx, Inc. at the April 2023 meeting. In addition, at the last board meeting it was decided to seek additional bids/quotes. That quote is attached for you to review. I would ask Mr. McDonald to provide a quick overview and answer any questions the board might have. A secondary bid was received from Scan, and it was significantly higher because they will only do project if the job if it is all bored $78,000. FieldWrx had a quote of $46,000, bore for an additional $18,000. There was a discussion about fiber. It is only the county’s fiber. Wade Community Fire will be doing some construction work which may change how we need to proceed. More details need to be examined.
Board Comments: Bollman went to a workshop about grant money and departments need to investigate it. Bollman has information for business in the county about grants. His phone number is 618-843-6293. Weddell said he has contacted them and has talked to them. Kayla is a strong source of information.
Chairman’s Comments: United Counties Council of Illinois Annual Conference – July 23 – July 25 in Galena, Illinois. WEIU Broadcast of “Jasper County This is Our Story.” will air July 18th at 7pm on WEIU. This program features 16 local Jasper County storytellers that will share 15 stories about our community. Prior to the next board meeting on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the Board of Review Conference Room Kemper’s CPA will present the FY2022 Audit Review. Budget sheets have been sent out to department heads.
Geier moved to adjourn at 6:51 pm. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Next Regular Board Meeting will be Thursday, August 10th at 6:00 p.m.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
